Union executive for the Prison Officers Association Ian Carson, who is responsible for the east of the county including HMP Lincoln and has a career working in prisons, told The Lincolnite that increases in assaults and self harm “directly correlate” with reductions in staffing numbers.

He said: “It’s a no brainer. Staffing numbers have reduced by around 40% at many prisons in the area in the last five years and this has directly lead to increases in violence, self-harm and bullying.

“The powers that be who decide on the future of the institutions do not seem to have grasped that. Staff have left and those they have drafted in to replace them have no experience. Change is not going to happen overnight.

“It’s a complicated issue and there’s a distinct lack of conversation. There’s no level of respect and there’s no understanding of the levels of violence.

“We’re finding prison officers are deciding not to go into work because they feel unsafe or they feel bullied.

“New staff attendance policies also make it easier to dismiss staff who have been assaulted.

“Prisons are safer when there’s more staff around. Fights will break out very quickly. When two prisoners fight, it’s sometimes like they feel they have no choice. They have to maintain their position. But they know that staff have to intervene.

“When it comes to situations like this we know it’s likely to lead to an outcome of someone being seriously injured.

Prisoner transport vans on the scene outside the prison. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

“There’s an occupational capacity in Lincoln of around 800, but you could walk in and there would be 50 or 60 staff on duty.”

When asked about the increase in self harm at the prison, Ian added that reductions in staffing numbers mean officers spend less time talking with inmates.

“Where years ago we’d get to know prisoners, spot when they were feeling distressed and gauge their behaviour. Now with fewer staff those conversations don’t happen and self-harm and suicides have increased.

“For me the solution is to focus on recruitment and retention. Forget the ‘rehabilitation revolution’, which is where the focus is at the minute. Governors need to be challenges to reduce violence and penalties when they’re not.”

Boosting front line officers

Liz Truss. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

In response to the latest ‘safety in custody’ statistics, Justice Secretary Liz Truss has said: “Since becoming Justice Secretary, I have been clear that the violence, self-harm and deaths in our prisons are too high.

“I have taken immediate action to stabilise the estate by tackling the drugs, drones and phones that undermine security. We are also investing £100m annually to boost the frontline by 2,500 officers.

“These are long-standing issues that will not be resolved in weeks or months but our wholescale reforms will lay the groundwork to transform our prisons, reduce reoffending and make our communities safer.”

The Howard League and another charity, Centre for Mental Health, have been working together on a joint inquiry into preventing prison suicides.

Frances Crook, Chief Executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said: “Cutting staff and prison budgets while allowing the number of people behind bars to grow unchecked has created a toxic mix of violence, death and human misery.

“The problems are clear for all to see. The Howard League is offering solutions. We have shown ministers how, by taking bold but sensible action to reduce the number of people in prison, we can save lives and prevent more people being swept away into deeper currents of crime and despair.”